Page 83 of Hollywood Undercover
Chapter 35
SEBASTIAN drove downtownwith Alexandra to the construction company around midmorning the next day. So far, it had been uncomfortable for the past few days. They barely talked to one another, but now that he was committed to confronting her, at least an end was in sight. In the close quarters of his Jeep, he turned on the charm to get her to loosen up a bit. It was obvious she had doubts about staying at his place, which easily explained why she made herself so scarce. Hell, he was rethinking ittoo.
Somehow, the question of exes entered their strained conversation, and he had to ask. “So are you telling me it was so bad that you would rather have a one-night stand instead of going out on one date with your most recentex?”
Alexandra squealed with horrified laughter. “That’s so messed up, Bash! Hmmm. Let me think. You know what? That’s easy. If I had to choose, I’d pick the one-night stand. My ex is such a douche—d-d-delusional broad, Imean!”
“Delusional broad? Does anyone say ‘broad’anymore?”
“What? I like it, and delusional fits. If you ever met my ex, you’d completely getit.”
“Okay, I guess,” he said, shaking his head. “Well you’re lucky we don’t have time to get into it. That’s the building up there at the nextcorner.”
Sebastian found a parking spot and turned off theengine.
“Well, this is it. Are youready?”
Still giggling, Alexandra hopped out of the vehicle as Sebastian walked around to the sidewalk. She shielded her eyes and gazed up at the towering corporateoffice.
“Wow, that’s big,” shemurmured.
“Yes, but, don’t let the size intimidate you. This contractor’s rates are reasonable, and I’m pretty sure they can handle your timetable and get things started before Max gets released from the hospital. These guys aregood.”
He pointed the way and motioned for her to go in through the revolving door at the front of the building. His eyes kept straying to her. Alexandra had this uncanny way of holding his attention. He wasn’t sure how much of that allure had to do with the forbidden nature of their attraction while she was busy trying to pull off being aguy.
I’ll find out soonenough.
He pulled out the business card from his wallet to confirm the floor they needed to go to, and led Alexandra to the elevator bay. The two of them slipped inside before the elevator doorsclosed.
Alexandra turned to look up at him. “I don’t mean to get all sentimental on you, but I want to tell you as I’ll be leaving soon. I feel lucky to have a friend likeyou…”
For a moment, their eyes locked. She seemed like she was soopen.
This is a weird place for her to confess, butwhatever.
Instead, she said, “Thanks for helping me find a contractor. I’d probably still be calling on less than qualified handymen right now if it wasn’t for you. You know how much guys hate asking forhelp.”
The elevator dinged on their floor, and the doors slid open. “It’s women whothinkthat, Alex,” he said, giving her a nudge on the arm so she would step off. “I won’t speak for every guy, but I prefer to figure things out on my own if I can. I don’t mind asking for help when I needto.”
She had no response, not even a nod. Shaking his head, he ushered Alexandra to the suite. Without thinking, he opened the door and stood aside for her to goinside.
Alexandra didn’t skip a beat, and entered, until she realized he had held the door for her the way he would for a woman. Looking back, she flashed him a glare. “Thanks bud. You know I can get my own doors,right?”
He walked in behind her. “It’s not a big deal, but I get it. After all, how else are you gonna build up those pecs if you don’t open yourown—”
Sebastian’s jaw dropped and he stopped dead in his tracks just inside theoffice.
What in the hell is she doinghere?
Aileen stood at the front desk of the construction company’s office. Aileen, the cheating married woman who played him like a fiddle until that phone call over Christmas, washere.
Alexandra turned to him and quickly noticed his reaction. Sebastian looked back and forth between the two of them. He instantly wanted to turn and leave, but that wasn’t an option. Alexandra needed this contractor to get the restoration work started. Gritting his teeth, he stood his ground and waited for his ex to noticethem.
Aileen threw her hands to her face and shrieked in surprise when she finally looked up. “Sebastian? Sebastian Sullivan!” she squealed. The waiting area of Ward & Baron Construction was a small space. Thankfully there were no other clients waiting around, but Aileen’s animated greeting made Alexandra’s head snap toward her at lightning speed. Sebastian forced a polite smile and hoped for thebest.
Alexandra was now the one looking back and forth between the two of them, curious as ever. Before Sebastian could explain—hell, before Alexandra could even formulate the right questions to ask—Aileen sashayed from behind the desk and positioned herself between him and Alexandra. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his jaw seductively, making it clear what kind of history they had. The realization dawned on Alexandra’sface.
Now she has to know I’mstraight.
